Tropes Media Browse Indexes Forums Videos Ask The Tropers Trope Finder Media Finder Trope Launch Pad Tech Wishlist Reviews Tools
Cut List New Edits Edit Reasons Launches Images List Crowner Activity Un-typed Pages Recent Page Type Changes Changelog
Tips
Creating New Redirects Cross Wicking Tips for Editing Text Formatting Rules Glossary Edit Reasons Handling Spoilers Word Cruft Administrivia FAQ
Tropes HQ
About Us Contact Us Advertise DMCA Notice Privacy Policy Report Bug
Go Ad-Free Changelog
  • Show Spoilers
  • Night Vision
  • Sticky Header
  • Highlight Links
 

Follow TV Tropes

Following

Darth Wiki / Midlands RP

Go To

Midlands is a Tabletop RPG based on the Fantasy novel, Of Light and Darkness.

This RP tells the story of an unlikely trio of adventurers. Rho, a human girl trained as a Stormspeaker, is working in a bar on an orcish island. When an elven Tsivarti agent, calling himself Billy gets in trouble with the other bar patrons due to Fantastic Racism, she and a bystander paladin named Firon tries to defuse the situation while an out-of-work orc laughs nastily at the situation while devouring lots of meat and gulping ale.

When Billy escapes the bar, Rho gets some news: a massacre between the orcs and elves has happened at the trade hub town of Crossroads. In response to that, the three Damiyos of the orcs, uruks and goblins are gearing up for war, with Damiyo Gokusen, a strong proponent of aggressiveness, has begun to invade the elf territories. While the kingdom of Ellarvin and the royal family is preparing a counterattack. And Rho's adoptive father, a well respected orc Stormspeaker known as Sensei Korag has disappeared within the conflict.

She immediately sets out on a journey to find her Sensei, and hires Tog, an orc ronin mage hunter to help. They are quickly joined by Billy, who later reveals his true name as Darrian, who participates in Rho's quest as a matter of gratitude for saving him, and as a quick means of leaving an island of angry orcs. Firon sends them on their way, and on their journey, the trio discovers mysteries, meet new allies and friends, and will ultimately participate in a life-changing gladiator fight that will marvel (and confuse) people for generations to come: "The Greatest Show In The Midlands."

And then came Act 2.

A month after Act 1, with multiple nations still reeling from the loss and threats made during it's finale, the RP now focuses on a new set of protagonists. Ymir, a secretive young lady, Ying Cai, a soldier from the Jadelands, and Cyrus, a mage detective from Velros. The trio was summoned from their respective homes to the heart of the Shadowlands, where they are offered employment from a mysterious organization known as The Cabal. There, the trio has to contend with politically sensitive missions, dangerous foes, and their own personal circumstances.

    open/close all folders 

The "Greatest" Show In Midlands!

    Rho 

Rho

"Where is Sensei Korag?!"

Born human but raised by the orcs, Rho is a stormspeaker, trained to feel the magic tied to the elements, and to bend or shift them to her will. And karate. The mage of the trio. Raised by her sensei Korag, her story begins when he disappears in the war and she sets off to find him. Hot-headed, compassionate and unable to keep her mouth shut, it is her quest that kick-started the plot in the first place. And it is she who dubbed the trio's name: The "Greatest" Show In The Midlands.

    Darrian 

Darrian "Billy" Vastari

"I'm a TSIVARTI!!."

An elf patriot who is a Tsivarti agent. The sneaky guy of the trio and a consummate combat pragmatist. He ends up with the group for gratitude and as a quick means of escape. Possessing a strong pride in his elf heritage, yet he has a staunch stance on interracial cooperation and is unpopular amongst his peers and superiors for it. He aspires to someday rise up the ranks and be a hero for his people.

    Tog 

Tog

Toguro, THE BOULDER

"YOU WORK FOR TOG NOW!!!!"

An orc ronin hired by Rho. The fighter of the trio and all around big eater. Previously a mage hunter in service to the Damiyo before he left. His father died at the hands of Tsivarti elves and he consequently picked up a hatred of them. An orc of many hidden talents; a tactician, a diplomat and a better chef than Rho. His dream is to travel the world and form his own mercenary group.

  • And the Adventure Continues: He decides to Walk the Earth with Rho to train as an iron chef.
  • Berserk Button: The insignia that the elven mages wear. It caused him to screw up a diplomatically sensitive mission.
  • Big Eater: Constantly swipes food, to Rho's chagrin.
    Tog: Tog is always hungry!
  • Chef of Iron: As stated above, he shares the role of Team Chef with Rho, but he's more of a gourmet cook as opposed to Rho who makes the everyday meals. Also, rubbing spices on bear meat sensually!
  • Cool Sword: His father's nagamaki. Tog typically wields it Reverse Grip style, and it has been reinforced with Adamantium, forged by an Ultimate Blacksmith.
  • Crazy Is Cool: His "recruitment drive" during the trio's first battle.
    (in orcish) Tog: ALL GOBLIN NINJAS TO ME!!!!
  • Deadpan Snarker: Always has a line ready to verbally demolish Darrian.
  • Denied Food as Punishment: Rho tries this in response to Tog bringing unwanted attention onto the trio and putting Darrian in trouble. Doesn't work.
  • Dope Slap: Does this on Darrian exclusively whenever he can't keep up with Darrian's snark. With varying degrees of success.
  • Dual Wielding: Has two nagamakis.
  • Everything's Better with Samurai: He's an Orc samurai!
  • Fantastic Racism: Hates elves. Darrian suffers for it.
  • Freudian Excuse: His father was killed by elven mages.
  • Genius Bruiser: Tog's more than simple hired muscle. He's also a tactician, a chef and diplomatic skills too.
    • His tactics may have singlehandedly led the Trio to victory during the finale. His Kansas City Shuffle and Batman Gambit tactics has allowed the trio to get hits in to unstoppable vampire warriors who were previously NoSelling everything.
  • Grievous Harm with a Body
  • Incoming Ham: His BOULDER persona.
  • Indy Ploy: Often does this, often succeeds.
  • Large Ham: While throttling a goblin ninja after killing his uruk partner, this is what he has to say:
    Tog: YOU WORK FOR TOG NOW!!!!
    To Pryce Lodge: *shakes hands* YOU WORK WITH TOG NOW!!!!
  • Made of Iron: Has taken an arrow wound to the shoulder and fought the next day with no visible ill effects. Endured a broken nose, cracked skull, and shattered armor which could have been his ribs. Took them all, shrugged them all.
  • Mage Killer: Is a Mage Hunter due to his past.
  • Mundane Solution: Done this twice to date successfully.
    • Need a boat to leave the Orclands to the Human lands? While Billy and Rho were discussing a complex stealth plan to steal one off the docks, he simply walked to the Orc Guardsmen and asked for a boat AND a guide on the grounds that it'll get the human and elf off their lands much quicker.
    • When Rho and Darrian were busy negotiating a slot in the Fighting Ring (with little success), Tog simply went to a random blacksmith and got corporate sponsorship AND brand new armor.
  • Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: However, he revealed to the above mentioned blacksmith that his teammate Darrian is a Tsivarti to get the sponsorship. This bites them all in the back when the merchant goblin comes out to capture him.
    • Darrian has not failed to note that while Rho tried to defend him, Tog was quite willing to leave Darrian to his fate.
  • Outside-the-Box Tactic: His greatest strength. Natch. When the GM angled him into a mirror match opponent that is better equipped and a better swordsman to boot, Tog rose to the challenge and prevailed in a way that's unexpected.
    • When the opponent (in full armor) made it clear that he's faster with a sword, Tog got in very close and grappled to null that advantage. The opponent then responded by headbutting Tog with his heavy helmet against Tog's bare face. He then used the blood from his bleeding nose and mouth and spat it into his opponent's eyeholes, blinding him. Tog then got out of range and began firing great arrows at him. One was knocked away, the other hit his shoulder. The opponent made one last swipe with his katana at him. Tog blocked it with an arrow, and stomped on the blade, shattering it. Tog then played on his opponent's honor by declaring his defeat, and walked away. No one, not even the GM saw that coming.
    • Came up with the idea to plant his nagamaki into the colossal fire drake to strip away it's tree armor.
    • Tog's strategies during the finale was essential to victory. The trio switching enemies and stabbing his opponent with Darrian's dagger when the GM did not expect it? His idea. Setting the GM up for the same trick on Black Mask and subverting it at the last moment with a smoke bomb? It was all Tog.
  • Scarily Competent Tracker: Comes with the territory of living off the land. Demonstrated when he points out that the stasis spell in the Ghost Town only affected living things.
  • Skeletons in the Coat Closet: Wears Sankaku Bone Armor as per Orcish tradition.
  • The Big Guy: What other role would you expect a seven feet tall orc to take?
  • The Knights Who Say "Squee!": The tough Orc ronin Tog fanboys over Garukkesh, and wishes for senpai to notice him.
  • The Strategist: See Outside-the-Box Tactic. Tog is the trio's main strategist in tight spots and he often succeeds in delivering victory from the jaws of defeat.
  • Third-Person Person: Tog uses "Tog" as opposed to "this one" that Tog's kin uses in conjunction with his culture's humble roots. That humility goes out the window in his BOULDER persona.
    THE BOULDER: THE BOULDER IS WINNING THIS! BY A LANDSLIDE!
  • Tragic Keepsake: His late father's nagamaki.
  • Trash Talk: He and Darrian speculated liberally on the nature of Pyron's lineage, particularly on the maternal side, as their conventional attacks were useless and they needed to distract him from the Seven.
  • Vitriolic Best Buds: With Darrian. Won't stop them both from snarking however.
  • Wrestler in All of Us: Utilised unusual grappling techniques to subdue Leoskarrion with great effect. Embraced everything about it with his BOULDER persona; hamminess, showmanship, bicep flexing, all of it.

    Act 1 Non-Player Companions 

Merrill

“Um, are they always like this?”

A female elven Moonford Commando assigned to the trio. Unlike her stoic, dignified colleagues, Merrill is rather shy and reserved. She seems quite inexperienced for a Commando, but behind her quiet demeanor lies some steel.

Shen

*nods stoically* “Hm."

A taciturn paladin assigned to the trio. Sober, dutiful, and stoic, Shen doesn’t speak much. When he does, it’s to the point, with little time for pleasantries or insults. He prefers to stay focused on the matter at hand, but sticks around in case things get out of hand.

Veldrina

“What kind of Tsivarti makes common cause with the likes of them?”

Elegant and comely, but extremely cold, a female elf Tsivarti agent. She is utterly unimpressed with the group and unperturbed by her situation. A consummate Tsivarti, she is devoted to only the preservation and advancement of the Firstborn, no matter the cost to the other races. She met the trio as a business partner that the trio was supposed to escort and protect, and attached herself to the group for unknown reasons.

Not to be confused with the other Veldrina.

  • Aloof Ally: Has emotionally isolated herself from her traveling companions. But her aim's the same as the trio's, stop the war.
  • Beneath the Mask: Reveals to Darrian (during his extremely clumsy attempt at seduction) that she's more alone than anyone thinks and that she may be out of her depth than previously thought.
  • But Now I Must Go
  • Deadpan Snarker: Has an insult ready for anything and anyone. Primarily at Darrian's Casanova Wannabe antics.
  • Defrosting Ice Queen: Slowly, but surely. Her side-story reveals that Kelenos is the most successful at this.
  • Fantastic Racism: See her page quote. It's so prominent that even Shen had something to say about it.
  • Foil: To Darrian. Both are proud to be elves and of their heritage. However, while he's acknowledges the strengths of the other races and is willing to work with them, she considers them beneath her and only trusts in the strength of her people.
  • Ice Queen: Her defining trait.
  • Lady of Black Magic
  • The Friend Nobody Likes: Her emotional detachment from the rest of the group is finally straining relations with her and the party. Tog and Rho are suspicious of her, not even Merrill and Shen has anything nice to say about her.
  • The Stoic: Even more impressive than Shen as she does not have the benefit of a face-concealing helmet.
  • The Unfettered: Taught her whole life to be this trope for the cause. Very nearly put it into practice when she considered stealing the fire soul orb. Fortunately, Merrill and Darrian talked her out of it.
    • Is decisively growing out of it further still with her sabbatical with Kelenos.

Garrukesh

“COME ON AND SLAM! AND WELCOME TO THE JAM!”

Breaker of Armies, Whirlwind of Steel, one of the Seven Knights, a hulk of an orc with a runed axe crafted from metal, not bone. He is undoubtedly the single greatest warrior in the Desolation, and a contender to be the World’s Strongest Warrior.

Pryce Lodge

“Aaaaand why would I tell you anything, little boy or girl?”

Sardonic and relaxed, with a magical rifle at his side and a cloak on his back, this vagabond is the World’s Costliest Mercenary and one of the Seven. Unlike Garuk, however, he seems to derive some slight enjoyment from bantering with others. In battle, he is a rapid and sure shot, though one wonders what other skills he has as one of the Seven Knights. His cloak seems to be covering more than his figure.

  • The Ace: As one of the Seven, able to mow down a small army with gunfire easily and go toe to toe with a colossal fire drake.
  • Barrier Warrior: Without his aegis, the "Greatest" Show in Midlands would have been reduced to cinders many times over.
  • But Now I Must Go
  • The Bus Came Back: For a brief period when he resurfaced in The Shadowlands and co-opted a ride across the sea from the trio of Act 2.
  • Friendly Sniper: The most friendly of the Seven that the group has met.

Sensei Korag

"Strength is being able to stand up for what one should truly believe in; the truth."

Known as something of an iconoclast among the other orcs, Korag was nevertheless respected for his wisdom and kindness, virtues which endured in the Great Desolation. He took it upon himself to raise the human foundling Rho, once it became clear she had the gift of magic.

  • Aesop Enforcer: As per the orcish tradition!
  • Affectionate Gesture to the Head: From the In Which Rho Needed to Pee and Earned a Knockout short story, to Rho, revealing the tenderness beneath the gruff exterior.
  • An Aesop: When you uphold the truth, there will be many who will beat you senseless for doing so. But you must, above all else, remain true to it, no matter how hard the beating.
  • Badass Creed: May have declared one in the Rho Needs To Pee side-story.
    Sensei Korag: "No disciple of mine will ever lie to win a battle. Truth will triumph above all else, for the truth will set you free."
  • Badass Teacher: Yes. Yes he is.
  • Big Damn Heroes: Was the "little help" to Rho in sealing the colossal fire drake.
  • Flat "What": His reaction to Rho peeing.
  • Good Is Not Soft: Will not hesitate to deliver a knockout blow to his adopted daughter if it means imparting a crucial life lesson.
  • Living Macguffin: His disappearance is the reason why our "heroes" are even out adventuring. Rho most of all.
  • Mentor Occupational Hazard: Of the Missing Mentor variant.
    • Not anymore.
  • No Celebrities Were Harmed: May or may not share the same catchphrase as George Takei.
    • "Oh myyy!"
  • Lotus Position: The first thing mentioned in the Rho goes peeing side-story.
  • Mentor Archetype: Wise, experienced, advisor, and confidante to a young, inexperienced heroine? Yup.
  • Training from Hell: Downplayed. While Sensei Korag does hit Rho, he never hits harder than he has to and always for a good reason. All in all, stormspeaker training has some strenuous aspects but as a whole is not "hellish".
  • Will Not Tell a Lie: Seems to hold this philosophy.

Agents of The Cabal

    Ymer 

Remillia Anne Arcturus

Ymer, Remy

An elegant looking mysterious lady until she opens her mouth. A graduate of the Magus Institute, she keeps her personal history a guarded secret and seems to be troubled by any reminders of it, living or otherwise. She's actually a half-human, half-vampire daughter of a minor House Tepes-Impala noble. She cares for her homeland deeply, and determined to save it.
  • Aloof Big Brother: Her half-brother, Lars. But he shows visible concern for his half-sister.
  • Broken Bird: She struggles with feelings of guilt and inadequacy, and as a result, extremely reluctant to return home to see her beloved mother.
  • Cool Mask: She wears one to avoid recognition from certain vampire parties. Seems to have abandoned it when her identity was outed in front of the full Tepes-Impala council.
  • Daddy's Girl: Has stated to be once quite close to her father.
  • Dark and Troubled Past: Implied. Her childhood was presumably not idyllic.
    • It is revealed so far that she had failed to return to her clan after a mission she disagreed with.
  • Energy Weapon: Her main means of offensive magic.
  • Foe-Tossing Charge: Hilariously subverted. Turns out a skinny waif isn't very good at shoving fully armored soldiers out of the way. Who knew?
  • Half-Human Hybrid: Half-human, half-vampire.
  • Heroic Safe Mode: Entered one of sorts once news of the Drow invasion of her home reached her. She's more prone to rash decisions and generally not so calm as before she heard the news.
  • Sdrawkcab Name: Her Ymer alias is her Affectionate Nickname spelled backwards.
  • That Came Out Wrong: In epic fashion when she tried to co-opt Elly's help.
    Ymir: Hi Elly, could you lend us a hand if you're free?

    Ying Cai 

Ying Cai

A human soldier from the Jadelands' Imperial Army. His goal is to protect his home from the threat that the Khan represents. Pursuing a lead meant for another, he solves his problems with water, first-aid, and spearwork.
  • Amazon Chaser: Fell for Elly, monstrous strength and all.
  • Combat Medic: He's a healer, and knows how to tend to battlefield wounds.
  • Cool Horse: Managed to tame a sand-steed from a bandit he killed. Its name is Peng.
  • Dogged Nice Guy: He's in love with Elly, but she likes someone else. Doesn't stop him from looking out for her though.
  • Making a Splash: He's a low-level waterbender.
  • Mid-Season Upgrade: His original spear was sheared by an orc bandit chief. So Ying has replaced it with a magically enchanted one. One that returns to his hands at will.
  • Momma's Boy: He was raised by his single mother, so he's a bit of one.
  • Nice Guy: He went out of his way to buy and free slaves from a market, and he's always ready to tend to his comrades' medical needs, from hamstrung legs to dislocated shoulders.
  • Not in This for Your Revolution: He cares little and less for the ambitions of The Cabal, as long as his own country's problems are solved.
  • Right Man in the Wrong Place: The invitation to join the Cabal wasn't even meant for him, but for his accomplished superior officer. Ying was sent in his place because the invitation was so vague, it did not warrant his full attention.
  • Suppressed Rage: He was breathing very deeply and deliberately when he discovered that he's in the same room with the Khan.

    Cyrus 

Cyrus

A Velrosian mage detective. Has a mysterious past of his own, and similarly keeps it to himself. Has a keen analytical mind, and practiced diplomatic manners. He has a colored career history as a detective, even being on speaking terms with the former head of the Tsivarti of Ellaravin.
  • An Arm and a Leg: Has a prosthetic arm.
  • Barrier Warrior: Can generate a force field at will.
  • Blow You Away: Is able to control wind.
  • Dark and Troubled Past: He's in the Cabal because he is being blackmailed.
  • Hurricane of Puns: On the receiving end of one when his prosthetic arm is ripped off.
    Angel: “Let me lend you a hand.”
    Alan: “Cyrus seems to have a good grasp of the situation.”
    Ying Cai: “Calm down, it's only a little armless fun.”
    Elly: “…Uh…hand…pun. I’m sorry, I’m out of practice."
  • Ninja Pirate Zombie Robot: Is a mage detective.
    Act 2 Non-Player Companions 

Kel'rus

“Uh, OK, am I the only person here without any baggage?”

A Drow, one of the more senior members of The Cabal. He's also cheery, helpful and prone to saying wrong things at the wrong time. In short, he's everything his race doesn't stand for. He has offered his aid to the trio freely in missions and is on good terms with everyone within The Cabal.

  • Heroic BSoD: The worst affected by the Brain In The Jar's illusions.
  • Hidden Depths: On the positive side, he's a competent actor and can pose as a disdainful and arrogant guard who he is anything but. On the other side, his failure to resist his Mind Rape hints at a Dark and Troubled Past.
    Kel'rus: “Oh, sure. I can look disdainful and arrogant. I worked with people who lived that.”
    • Further demonstrates another side when he singlehandedly tracks down a group of fleeing Drow assassins and delivers one as crucial evidence for the Cabal to analyze before he is forcibly teleported away.
  • My Species Doth Protest Too Much: He is the antithesis of all the traits of a typical Drow.
    Kel'rus: “If you need someone to confide in, you can talk to me. He says as he realises that his people have a reputation for betrayal and selling secrets. Eeeeeesh.”
  • Nice Guy: His defining trait.
  • Only Sane Man: See his character quote.
  • Wide-Eyed Idealist: His outlook and attitude really contrasts with his more somber teammates and the Darker and Edgier environment.

Elly

Elly Kirinedge

“Sometimes life just gives you a shit hand. All you can do is try and lose as little as possible.”

A human female, with brown hair tied into a single braid and amber-golden eyes. Aside from basic combat gear, her most striking accessories are silvery white gloves that extend to her elbows and manacles of Jadeland craftsmanship around her arms. Even manacled, she is monstrously fast, direct, skilled, and strong. She is actually a daughter of Tallen Kirinedge, the greatest hero in history. She has a troubled past and possesses a cynical view of the world, and herself.

  • Badass Boast: Delivered one to the last of the mountain bandits after brutally crushing them.
    Elly: “Stop what you’re doing or we’ll come back. And I won’t go easy next time.”
  • Badass Family: She and Angel are daughters of the greatest hero in history and both have been seen defeating small armies by themselves.
  • Broken Ace: She's monstrously strong, keeps her distance from others, and has a cynical outlook on life.
  • Broken Bird: Checks out almost every box on the list: she's female, Troubled, but Cute, deals with a Dark and Troubled Past as evidenced by her reaction to her Mind Rape, and is The Stoic yet demonstrates a pronounced sense of sarcasm.
  • The Comically Serious: She really needs to brush up on her one-liners.
  • Cursed with Awesome: Possesses immense combat strength, and fears it.
  • Hot-Blooded: Not immediately evident but it's there. She has a strong sense of justice and will openly mouth off at anyone who violates her moral code. No matter how powerful they may be.
  • I Am Not Left-Handed: All that power and strength and she is still manacled with shackles of the highest quality. And now they are off.
  • I Have Your Wife: Shows visible signs of distress at the prospect of Kel'rus in trouble.
  • Not So Above It All: Despite the distance she keeps with the rest of the Cabal, she does show a lighthearted childish side when she's with the Satreans. Like defending her Lightning-fisted monk's claim to glory in a game of Lizardfolk and Labyrinths or trying to participate in a Hurricane of Puns regarding Cyrus' arm.
  • One Woman Army: She is so strong that the trio's strategy basically boils down to: point her in the right direction and let her do her thing while they handle the fine tuning.

Alan Draile

Longhilt, The Light

“At what point did any of this seem like a good idea?”

Hero of another story, the main protagonist of Of Light and Darkness saga. Born Satreian, and trained as a paladin. Described as introspective, pleasant, and diplomatic. Crossing paths frequently with the PCs of Acts 1 & 2, he's a firm ally of both trios, ready to help with any problems they may have. Shown to be a fairly formidable fighter and strategist, he's played a part in every significant event that has happened as of late, and is usually shown having one or two hidden trinkets that sparks the curiosity of one PC.

  • Hero of Another Story: What he is. It's made very clear that he has had adventures that run parallel to the PC's.
  • Light 'em Up: As a paladin standard power. He also can produce a fighting avatar of light and control it remotely.
  • Mr. Exposition: He fills in the PCs on anything they may not know about the political situation they're dealing or about to deal with. Justified as he has connections everywhere.
  • O.O.C. Is Serious Business: His outburst at One-Arm. Particularly notable since the only emotions he's expressed until then is mild pleasantness.
  • Our Gryphons Are Different: His loyal steed Thrillwing that allows belly rubs after careful consideration.
  • The Paladin: A straightforward example of the trope. Alex even refers to him as The Light.
  • Rousing Speech: Delivered one before the Titan subjugation quest began.
    Alan: “Our enemy thinks us prey. Show him we are the hunters!”
  • Running Gag: Is the victim of various unrelated parties commenting on how 'weak-looking' he is.
    Guard A: "Him?"
    Guard B: "Who?"
    Guard C: "She could do better."
  • Where Does He Get All Those Wonderful Toys?: So far, an Oricalchum dagger and a Phoenix Tears healing potion.

Angel Kirinedge

The Ghostblade

“I may not care too much about the Shadowlands, but I know the importance of family.”

Daughter of the legendary Tallen Kirinedge, greatest hero in history. Born Satreian, and a powerful fighter. Confident, forthright and loyal to her comrades. Wandering the earth for preparation for the Dark Lord's arrival, she's now working with the Agents of the Cabal to protect and keep an eye on Alan.

  • Action Girl: Capable of kicking all sorts of ass.
  • The Ace: She has halted whole armies in their path and has bisected a titan's face in half.
  • Badass Boast: Like Elly, she has the power and skill to back them up.
    Angel: "If I’d intended to come here and fight my way through to thwart you, trust me: You’d know"
  • Combat Pragmatist: Isn't above asking personal questions to gain the upper hand.
  • Hero of Another Story: She's had her own adventures whenever her paths with Alan and the PCs don't intersect.
  • Large Ham: Surprisingly, she makes a loud old woman.
    Old!Angel: “Listen here, sonny, granny was a valkyrie in the Crusades, walked all the way through it all!”
  • Love Interest: To Alan.
  • More Deadly Than the Male: She's stronger than Alan, more ruthless and more ready to throw down to protect the ones she cares about.
  • One Woman Army: She's taken down small armies by herself, full armies when backed by her lieutenants.
  • Ghostblade Is A Girl

Keira

A Drow prisoner of war captured by the Cabal after a mysterious third party slaughtered her group, leaving her and another the sole survivors. Comely, but rather malnourished. She currently serves as an apprentice of sorts under Cyrus in exchange for her life held under pain of death if she ever were to turn against them. A talented mage in the making, she has demonstrated great loyalty to her leader and mourns the loss of her group, and her lover.

  • Explosive Leash: A collar with a ruby set in the middle. Only Alan knows the phrase to trigger it should she betray them.
  • Even Evil Has Loved Ones
  • My Master, Right or Wrong: She is loyal to Vosquin and obeys the most heinous commands, despite her personal misgivings.
  • Jerkass Woobie: She is introduced as a part of a terrorist group that kidnaps civilians, but there is no doubt that the past few days have been very traumatic for her.

The Brain In The Jar

“You…will all…serve…ME!”

A disembodied brain kept alive by incredible arcane power. Once an experiment by a local lich, it took over operations when the lich accidentally jumpstarted its latent arcane powers by destroying its creator. Since then, it survived on ensnared travelers of the Shadowlands and, so it claims, their own pain and suffering. Judging by the mass grave in its chamber which it transformed into artificial leylines, that seems to be true. It had considerable power over the mind and could read it sufficiently to craft personal (but imperfect) torments.

Acts 1 & 2 of Midlands provide examples of:

  • Arc Words: "Idealistic fool!"
  • Badass Family: Anyone whose name is Kirinedge or even his disciples. His two daughters, Angel and Elly, can wreck your day hard if you get on their bad side. His greatest disciple, Zhang has single-handedly carved out his own country from Imperial Jadelands territory.
  • Deadpan Snarker: Every PC, NPC and the GM.
    Alan : (With arm in sling) “Yes, we wouldn’t want this to be unfair, would we?”
  • Experienced Protagonist: The "heroes" aren't newbies and have already obtained the bulk of their power by the time the story starts.
    • Rho is a (albeit inexperienced) stormspeaker with knowledge of martial arts. Darrian is a full Tsivarti agent with a couple of missions under his belt. Tog is a former Mage Hunter with plenty of kills to his name.
    • Ymir is a mage with deadly long-range magic at her disposal. Ying Cai is a qualified soldier and a master of the spear. Cyrus is a veteran detective with a eventful career history behind him.
  • Greater-Scope Villain: The Dark Lord who's been stated to return someday.
  • Hero of Another Story: Alan Draille, Angel Kirinedge and their respective sidekicks. Their paths frequently cross with the PCs of both Acts.
  • One-Man Army: Several notable characters are stated and shown to be capable of taking on whole armies single-handedly. Examples include all members of The Seven, Angel and her lieutenants, Elly, and the great Khan Zhang.
  • Our Vampires Are Different: Of the super-cool, all-the-strengths, and very little weaknesses variant. Possessing Super-Strength and Super-Toughness, are high-functioning, and not even needing to bite a victim to drain their blood. They are immune to typical vampire weaknesses like crosses, garlic, running water, save for direct sunlight, and fire, and those are more inconveniences than weaknesses. They are vulnerable to decapitation and staking, but on the other hand, those work on everybody else too.
  • Rank Scales with Asskicking: As a general rule, all leaders of all nations from the Elvenking to Orcland Damiyos are required to display badassitude or at least look like badasses of the highest order. All the Damiyos of the Orclands are Large and in Charge, and are more than willing to demonstrate their physical prowess, except for Sarukosh, who went down pretty quickly to his fellow Damiyo. The Elvenking himself is shown to be a being of great magical power and capable of holding off three powerful vampire assassins while performing a complicated spell at the same time. The heads of the vampire clans are even more so.
  • Reasonable Authority Figure: Barring a certain few, every faction leader that the trio encounter are this or have a reputation of being this. Extends to the Shadowlands as well.

    Act 1 
  • Aggressive Negotiations: What the gang meeting between the Selkies and Red Caps quickly devolved to. Naturally, a Bar Brawl ensued.
  • Always Someone Better: Angel to pretty much most of the cast.
  • Animorphism: Lokenn and his Skin-changer kin from the tribes of Beast and Bird.
  • An Arm and a Leg: Leoskarrion at some point lost his right arm. He got better. Threatened by Garrukesh.
    Garrukesh: Try anything funny, you lose the limb trying to be funny.
  • And the Adventure Continues: The ending for the Heroes of Act 1. Rho and Tog continue to adventure and travel in order to become a better fighter and a better chef respectively. Darrian however, chooses to stay with the elven government and train with the elite to prepare for future adversaries that await his people.
  • An Offer You Can't Refuse: What Sensei Korag and the Ghostblade essentially offer to any elven settlements unfortunate enough to cross Damiyo Gokuzan's army's path. Zig-zagged in the fact that the elf civilians have the threat of invasion hanging over them nonetheless.
  • Apocalypse Cult: The party may have stumbled across one. Their mantra is Kill It with Fire, they worship the ancient dragon which the Seven have defeated. Probably made their headquarters within the bones of the said dragon, and is currently kidnapping any wayward dragon and magic users for their nefarious purposes.
    • It is revealed that they have abducted orc stormspeakers and human Arcaniers to drain their magic to revive the colossal dragon.
  • At the Crossroads: Figuratively when Firon (who was also present at Crossroads) presented two choices to the "heroes" on the night he met them. Literally when the trio arrive at Crossroads, the site of a tragedy. Though no major decisions was made there.
  • Artificial Limbs: Leoskarrion, champion of the elves. His right arm is the metallic kind, powered by magic.
  • Attack of the 50-Foot Whatever: The Titans of the Second Age which resurface during the penultimate and finale of Act 1. The latter which is offscreen.
  • Badass Adorable: Thrilwing oh so much. A gryphon that enjoys belly rubs, eats anything, and his fuzziness produces a Cuteness Proximity effect.
  • Big Bad: Black Mask of Act 1. Dressed in Red and Black and Evil All Over, is heavily implied to be a vampire.
  • Big Damn Heroes: Pryce Lodge to the rescue! Not that Garrukesh needed it. The trio to Councillor Melkhoris's marital life.
  • Boisterous Bruiser: Magnar Hammerborn, the anti-Shen. He has No Indoor Voice, warms up to the "heroes" at first sight, and graciously took up drumming for their sake as long he's liquoured up.
    Magnar: “Well, per’aps SOME o’ us are nae sticks inna mud!”
  • Buried Alive: The colossal fire drake's final fate.
  • Burn Baby Burn: The trio burns Alan's secret letter to them with a handy campfire.
    • But it refused.
  • Bus Crash: Firon and Marshal Zhao, paladins who died offscreen fighting the forces of evil. These two were particularly liked by the PCs and were sad to see them go.
  • Casanova Wannabe: Whenever any of the males attempt to flirt with a female NPC.
  • Cool Old Lady: Angel's stint as Darrian's grandma. A hardened war veteran with no compunctions about speaking her mind, with her domestic life with Darrian's long suffering Grandfather, detailing too much on what happens in her bedchamber to her grandson's young mind, and loudly prescribing remedies for constipated bowels.
    “Listen here, sonny, granny was a valkyrie in the Crusades, walked all the way through it all!”
  • Cool Sword: Cool Knife actually. It's availability in the endgame of Act 1 meant life and death for the trio.
  • The Cynic: Plenty of NPCs in warzones, but most notably the barkeeper Hugin and Commander Orm. Both have seen their fair share of adventurers eager to hunt dragons and are both sick of the loss of life.
  • Curb-Stomp Battle: As the GM succinctly put it: Rho gets her butt handed to her by the daughter of the world’s greatest hero. Generally any fight against Angel. She took down a dwarf with muttonchops with just a walking stick. That same dwarf that took a double drop kick by Tog to the face without flinching and Darrian's arcane shock, maximum output.
  • Drama-Preserving Handicap: The final two fights of Act 1 up to and including the Big Bad has the trio deprived of full use of their magic. Darrian couldn't teleport, and Rho couldn't control the elements effectively. (Tog however, remains unaffected.) This forces them to utilize all of their physical techniques, tactics, gambits, teamwork, and what little remains of their magic they could muster to prevail.
  • Destination Defenestration: MAXIMUM TOG. Self-inflicted.
  • Elephant Graveyard: The Wyrmwood. Build near the gravesite of a humongous fire drake, the carcass exudes magic that draws more fire drakes and dragons towards it, where they are promptly killed or driven off by the town guards.
    • Complete with dragon merchandise!
  • Equal-Opportunity Evil: The cult. Members comprised of all races, both genders, and are fanatically loyal to the cause.
  • Fantastic Racism: Both Orc/Uruk Hai and Human/Elf races had a long history of violence and oppression over multiple ages on both sides.
  • Fantasy Metals: Alan's Mithril and Orichalcum blade that breaks arcane flow and steals it.
  • Fire-Forged Friends: Since the Your Mom barrage on F̶r̶o̶l̶l̶o̶ Pyron, Tog and Darrian have gotten along much better. Bonus points as it all happened in a fire themed arena against fire themed enemies.
  • Friendly Sniper: Pryce Lodge, the world's costliest mercenary. The least aloof among the Seven the trio has encountered.
  • Ghost Town: The trio encounters one in the heart of the Desolation.
    • It was a dead elven town with some of it's inhabitants and living trees frozen in time, a somber reminder of the horrors the arcane could offer.
  • Gratuitous Ninja: The Ninja Goblins. Tog wants one!
  • Green Thumb: Paradoxically, the collossal fire drake. Capable of spontaneously regenerating it's outer shell of trees and siccing trees on the party.
  • Henpecked Husband: Councillor Melkhoris.
    • The Seven also had their own adventures. They had something to do with the death of the humongous fire drake.
  • Hold the Line: The Trio's mission during the Senate Assault.
  • Honesty Is the Best Policy: A principle passed from Sensei Korag to Rho, which she follows faithfully to this day.
  • Hot Springs Episode: Happens during the trio's time in the Guardswood. Tog demonstrates his prowess to Darrian there. Repeatedly.
  • Huddle Power: Often done by the trio before a collective decision and for battle strategy.
  • Huge Guy, Tiny Girl: Gareth and Lynnette. Overlaps with Masculine Girl, Feminine Boy as she's standoffish and very protective of her friends while he's the more peaceful and calmer of the two.
  • I Have Your Wife: The Councillor's wife, actually.
  • "Instant Death" Radius: Pyron for anybody and any arrows that gets too close to him. It's why Darrian and Tog had to find...other means of attacking.
  • Ironic Echo: When the trio had signed up for their Gladiator Games Rho greets the passerbys on the way and uttered the unfortunate line to an orc child, "Thank you little boy...or girl!" Much later...
    Pryce: “Aaaaand why would I tell you anything, little boy or girl?”
  • Lame Comeback: Halfway through Vicilren's duel with Alan when he's visibly losing and Alan called on him to stop and be smart;
    Vicilren: “I’ll show you who’s smart!”
  • Large and in Charge: Every. Single. Damiyo. To put it in perspective, Garukkesh is a head taller than the already ridiculously sized orcs. Damiyo Ozan is as tall and TWICE as wide. Damiyo Gokusen towers at 10 feet, the tallest Uruk Hai the trio has ever encountered and Damiyo Sarrukesh (a goblin) is human height.
  • Large Ham: Any time the PC's need to get theatrical. Angel's crone persona too.
    “MAGNAR’S SUBTLE! DWARVES AR’ PLENTY SUBTLE! WHY D’YE THINK WE LIVE UNDERGROUND?”
  • Laser-Guided Karma: Invoked by the GM when Darrian killed the ninja goblin Tog was throttling in his hand to foil his "recruitment drive". He sent an Uruk Hai with his ninja goblin partner directly after Darrian for this.
  • Law of Inverse Recoil: Inverted with Pryce's rifle, unfortunately for Darrian's dignity.
  • Let's Split Up, Gang!: At one point in the colossal dragon, the party consisted of 8 people. The two Seven went on to the head, the "heroes" split into two parties: Tog, Rho, Merrill, and Shen, Veldrina, Darrian. Partly for taking down whats happening in the wings simultaneously, partly for improving Relationship Values with the NPC s.
  • Made of Iron: The Orcs and Uruk Hai are this. Special mention to the Red Cap's dwarf leader.
  • Meaningful Name: F̶r̶o̶l̶l̶o̶ Pyron. An artificial half-dragon hybrid and his magic deals exclusively with fire.
  • Motive Rant: Done by Pyron. Nobody paid much attention to it but he went on anyway.
  • Motor Mouth: Visaj. The GM's ability to keep in character without stuttering is uncanny.
  • Mugged for Disguise: That poor random soldier in the mercenary camp. Bound and Gagged and left in a bush while his camp got invaded. Darrian tells the paladins where to rescue him though.
    • And his uniform is now stretched.
  • Neck Snap: The Firestorm's sudden fate, much to Rho's horror.
    • Now extended to Damiyo Sarukosh, courtesy of the same executioner, Gokusen.
    • Performed as a Coup de Grâce by Tog on Hooded Leather. Seems to be a standard Orcish execution method.
  • No Indoor Voice: MAGNAR and KAI!
  • Noodle Incident: Just what happened during Darrian's pirate ship stint?
  • Obfuscating Stupidity: The mercenary captain.
  • Our Elves Are Different: Taking after the High Elf variant. Part of an ancient kingdom, lives in a Shining City, (complete with Hot Springs!) proficient with magic and producing magical items and artifacts. Main weaknesses tend to be blind narcissism, are slimmer and more delicate physically than the other races. Arrogant, though they may not necessarily be openly antagonistic.
    • The Drow variant also exists, and they openly offer their services in the political field and woe betide the unprepared fool that steps into their realm.
  • Our Orcs Are Different: Taking after the "Blizzardian" orcs.
    • Let's see, a Proud Warrior Race with an extensive HONOR!!! system, possesses intelligence on par with humans with other races, omnivorous, have cities and settlements, a much more fleshed-out culture than "Tolkienian" orcs, green skin and tusks, much bigger than humans (at least seven feet tall), and one of them is a protagonist character? Check!
  • Passive-Aggressive Kombat: The entire exchange between Angel's crone persona and Darrian's grandchild-handler role. From loudly announcing her grandchild's bowel troubles to publicly calming his grandma's slipping mind, both of them are clearly enjoying every minute of it. Except Lex.
  • Poke in the Third Eye: Happens repeatedly to Rho when she tries to communicate with the walls of the Guardswood.
    Wall: Kyaa! Kocchi wo mienai, hentai!
  • Raised by Orcs: Rho. By Sensei Korag. He taught her to be a stormspeaker like him.
  • Red Shirt: Gleefully parodied in the first act in the tavern where the trio encounter a squad of soldiers pretty much ticking off the checklist for this trope. Complete with a guy showing the others a picture of his family, the squad leader taking solace in the fact that today's his last day, capped off with a veteran who's too aged to tolerate such events.
  • Riding into the Sunset: Pryce Lodge, once the day is saved.
  • Royals Who Actually Do Something: Elven Prince Theron and Princess Ariel.
  • Running Gag: HONOR!!! Also, someone will ALWAYS hum the One Ring theme whenever the broken Drow teleportation artifact is produced, or even mentioned.
  • Ghostblade Is A Girl: It's Angel.
  • Screw Politeness, I'm a Senior!: You can tell Angel is having a lot of fun in that persona.
  • Shapeshifter Mode Lock: Archdruid Kelveyn's final fate as a treant.
  • Shut Up, Hannibal!: Delivered as a Coup de Grâce by Garukkesh.
  • Spiteful Spit: One random Moonford ranger's reaction to the subject of Magnar. Too bad he had his helmet on at the time though.
  • Summon Bigger Fish: Played straight by the Tog, Rho and Merrill team. Sicced a dragon onto a mage group and their guard with excellent results.
  • The Spymaster: Tsivartor Beleron. He's a supremecist douche.
    Beleron: I heard that.
  • Taking You with Me: Which failed and resulted in the altered Guardswood.
  • Third-Person Person: The entire Orc and Uruk-Hai races have this characteristic due to their Samurai culture.
  • Throwing Your Sword Always Works: Darrian, facing the prospect of wall of fire up close and personal from a fire mage, did this.
  • Training Montage: By two of the party members in Wyrmwood. Rho with Shen, Tog with Garrukesh.
    • Darrian had his own of sorts earlier when sparring with Alan.
  • Trial by Combat: Invoked by Shen RAN-KU BATORU! in a Big Damn Heroes moment to save the "heroes'" diplomatic mission from collapsing.
  • True Companions: The "Greatest" Show In The Midlands. For all the japes and snipings and squabbles the trio has gone through, Rho, Darrian and Tog eventually grew into a united group, capable of defeating superior opponents through sheer teamwork.
  • Verbal Tic: Most Goblins will have this. Yes? No? Maybe?
  • Warrior Monk: Damiyo Ozan's praetorian guard certainly gives off this vibe.
  • World's Best Warrior: The Seven Knights. The trio has met 3 of them so far.
    • Leoskarrion. The best archer in the world. Towers over the average elf. Has an artificial right hand powered by magic.
    • Garukkesh. Tall, even for an orc. Known as the greatest warrior in the world. Possesses a battleaxe covered in runes.
    • Pryce Lodge. The most expensive mercenary in the world. A Barrier Warrior, has a rifle and can wipe out a small army with it.
  • Welcome to Corneria: Completely and utterly averted here. All NPCs have lives of their own. Treating them like a shallow, one-line person is a surefire way to piss them off.
  • When Trees Attack: As an alternate means of attack by the collossal fire drake. Kept as a universally hanging threat on all in the altered Guardswoods on all who would deploy lethal force.
  • Where Does He Get All Those Wonderful Toys?: Darrian is notably impressed by Alan's Arcane blade, and less impressed that it's not easily acquired.
  • Wutai: The Orclands are this trope.
    • Although, their lands lack the natural resources to build the majestic pagodas and temples that often accompany this trope. But they do have dojos.
  • You All Meet in an Inn: A tavern in the orclands actually, but the spirit is there.
  • You Have Failed Me: Gokusen executes Ghiska at the end of his trial for his wanton brutality.
    Gokusen: “You panicked. And your weakness cost you the lives of your men, your position, and my honour.” *NeckSnap*
  • Your Mom: Darrian and Tog made many comments disparaging Pyron's lineage to distract him to buy time for the Seven to buff themselves.
    • Mostly speculation of the actions taken during the moment of conception.
    Darrian: Soooo, did your mom give birth or she just laid an egg? Just asking.
  • Zerg Rush: The cultists attempt this on the party as a last ditch attempt. Barely slows them down.
    Act 2 
  • All Your Base Are Belong to Us: The Drow Imperium has occupied vital House Ahriman's strongholds, and their corresponding assets.
  • The Cameo: Magnar, the Velrosian crime bosses and Captain Edway from Act 1.
  • The Comically Serious: Somehow, Lich Captain Cunningham. There is something inherently amusing about a ship's captain who's powered by forsaken, undead arcane arts, ordering a Ymir who came to gawk, off his ship.
  • Contrasting Sequel Main Character: Practically invoked by the new trio. Ymir is carefully secretive compared to the carefree Rho. Ying Cai is a front-line warrior compared to the sneaky pragmatic Darrian. Cyrus is diplomatic, subtle, and controls magic compared to the loud, hammy, non-magical Tog.
    • Even the character dynamics are foils of the original trio; Rho, Darrian and Tog despite initial difficulty, bonded quickly before the first half of Act 1 ended. But took a whole campaign's worth of time to achieve true synchronized teamwork. The new trio, Ymir, Ying Cai and Cyrus on the other hand, with no prior contact, worked very well in sync with each other in combat from the get-go, but are closely emotionally guarded from each other.
  • Darker and Edgier: And how! What would you expect of a campaign set in a place called The Shadowlands? The trio aren't as open to each other compared to the first team, they regularly engage in fieldwork in places where powerful and dangerous vampires rule, with dark magics such as Necromancy being used freely, and their allies make it very clear that secrets are withheld from them. All in all, in-game jokes just aren't as frequent as it was in Act 1.
    • But the meta-jokes are still going strong.
  • Enemy Civil War: What the situation in the Shadowlands looks like to other nations. The Drow Imperium has invaded vampire territories, and the major vampire houses are gearing up for a counterattack.
  • Enemy Mine: For now, any personal agendas or vendettas has been put on hold in favor of the Cabal's missions.
  • Empathy Doll Shot: Discussed and mercilessly mocked for laughs regarding Alan's and Cyrus's search for a missing doll. A meme of Shang Yu got involved somehow.
  • Exact Words: Invoked and exploited by all parties regarding the Order of Light's expulsion from Vampire lands. They wanted them gone, they didn't say how.
  • Expy: Arbitex is set for one as Baymax's.
  • I Have Your Wife: The current issue poised by the Drow towards house Orlock. The lives of their captured civilians in exchange for abstaining from taking up arms.
  • Ley Line: Contributed to the obstacle that is the brain in the jar.
  • My Species Doth Protest Too Much: Lampshaded by Kel'rus, a cheerful Drow.
    Kel'rus: “Just because my people are shadowy, it doesn’t mean I can’t be an optimist!”
  • Noble Demon: Khi’Ras Tal D’Launz, the Bloodstone Sentinel, tries to cultivate this image with his speech. Jury is still out if he really is a Smug Snake underneath though.
  • Sacred Hospitality: A big deal in these parts, due to the prominence of the vampire clans. Notably, House Orlock refused to give any to the trio when they arrived, just in case. On the other hand, House Tepes-Impala immediately offered their guest right to the Cabal when they arrived, to demonstrate how much they needed the Cabal's intervention.
  • Slave Liberation: A small sub-quest initiated by Ying Cai. The hawk boy took the satisfaction out of it though.
  • The Syndicate: The Cabal. Which touches many tropes at once. Claims to exist to maintain order and balance in the Shadowlands, with history of its founding dating back to the Second Era, having access to near unlimited resources and Private Military Contractors. They are firmly independent from all governments, and commands a reputation that all parties fear and respect.
  • Terrible Interviewees Montage: Happens when Ying and Cyrus attempt to scout out prospective employees for The Cabal in a prison. Keyword here being "attempt".
    Ying Cai: *brightly* "So I heard you killed quite a few people in the woods. May I ask why?"
    Hunter: "The hunt."
    Cyrus: "Do you think you'd be a good fit with us in The Cabal?"
    Hunter: "The hunt."
    Ying Cai: *losing hope* "What would you say your skills are?"
    Hunter: "The hunt."
    Ying Cai: *facepalming* "You're gonna kill us the moment we let you out aren't you?"
    Hunter: "The hunt".
  • To Win Without Fighting: Suo Cheng the Vangard Beast, leading a small army confronts Angel and her gang and orders her to leave the Jadelands. She refuses and both are too stubborn to back down. The skirmish is sparked when Alan, controlling an avatar of light demands Suo Cheng to leave. The trio is left with the choice to sit out the battle or participate. The trio, led by Ying Cai sets out to end the fight quickly and successfully appealed to Suo Cheng to stand down. However, the trope is downplayed when a few other lone elite soldiers insisted on keeping up the now-pointless fight, and Ying Cai had to intervene personally.
  • Voice with an Internet Connection: Mr. Blue, leader of The Cabal, who communicates with his subordinates through magenta books.
  • Wham Episode: The character development session. Huge bombshells were dropped: One-Arm is actually ex-Tsivartor Bheleron in exile, Elly and Angel are sisters, and The Blade is Zhang the Beheader, the great Khan, and Jadeland's public enemy number one. All in one room.
  • Would Hurt a Child: The raiders slain in the first mission. A battle trophy was found in their hands. The vampire tooth of an adolescent.
"So... At what point did any of this seem like a good idea?"

Previous

Index

Next

  • Show Spoilers
  • Night Vision
  • Sticky Header
  • Wide Load

Important Links

Ask The Tropers Trope Finder Media Finder Trope Launch Pad Tech Wishlist Reviews Go Ad Free!
Crucial Browsing
Resources
Top